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Media Contact:
Kelsey Lund
Marketing Communications Specialist
Ph: 651.925.5766
New GovDelivery text messaging technology delivers real-time response to specific travel needs.
Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train and rail service announced today that it is launching a new text-messaging program for riders looking to receive real-time responses specific to their travel. The program leverages ETA Transit’s SPOT system and GovDelivery, an enterprise-class digital outreach platform engineered specifically for government, to help riders stay connected on train arrival and departure times or delays.
“Providing passengers with train tracking methods is essential in today’s digital age. Our goal was to provide our existing and future ridership with tools to receive real-time train updates on a multi-platform system. We are excited that we can add automated text responses to the already established interactive train map and email/text alerts. This will give more options for those who want to engage with the ACE Train,” said Stacey Mortensen, Executive Director, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission.
“Given that 73% of mobile phone users leverage text messaging, ACE is improving the level of service it provides by allowing riders to request relevant, real-time updates via text message,” said Scott Burns, CEO and Co-Founder at GovDelivery.
Nicole Castongauy, CEO at ETA Transit says, “Our SPOT™ system was built to facilitate just this type of service. With our open API and long-standing relationship with ACE, this project and all its requirements was a no-brainer. It was a perfect partnership.”
In order to receive relevant and timely travel information—such as arrival and departure times on their phones—riders can text a keyword or phrase (for example “ACE LMORE”) to the short code number GOV311 (468311) and receive real-time responses specific to their travel.
ACE has several other digital communication options already in place through GovDelivery for riders looking to receive regular email or text message on rush hour alerts and real-time emergency alerts. Visit http://www.acerail.com/About/stay-connected.aspx#contact-form to view the different alerts offered.
About ETA Transit
Climb on Board with the Value Leader in Complete Transit Systems. ETA provides customers with some of the most advanced, scalable communications systems on the market. Our position as the value leader is one we take very seriously and it drives our commitment to delivering systems that grow with you over time. Our open architecture solutions allow for expansion, customization, and a lower cost of entry that packs more features into the tighter budgets of small- to mid-sized agencies, universities, and paratransit fleets.
About GovDelivery
GovDelivery empowers government to create better lives for more people. More than 1,000 organizations worldwide use the GovDelivery platform and network to inform and engage over 80 million people. GovDelivery is the only digital marketing platform built exclusively for public sector organizations in order to promote usage of services, enhance public awareness, and increase the contributions and involvement of citizen communities. GovDelivery is an Actua (Nasdaq: ACTA) company.
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